This is how you capitalise on a bad mistake.
When the council in Porthcawl, Wales mistakenly built two new roadside benches facing inland instead of towards the sea, locals were quick to dub them ‘selfie benches’.
Now, the accidental pieces of innovative public architecture have become something of an attraction for tourists and those who live nearby – though not everyone is a fan.
Sunset in Porthcawl is 8.10pm tonight – still plenty of time hit the #selfiebench & get that #OMGB shot! #Wales #WorldFirst
— VisitBritain PR (@VisitBritainPR) April 14, 2016
Hugh Murray, the director of the Bridgend Tourism Association is inviting anyone visiting Porthcawl’s esplanade to take their own ‘bench selfie’ and to ‘share it on social media using the hashtag #SelfieBench’.
Of course, the benches have been met with some resistance. Many argue that the selfie benches – much like selfies in general – will make people swallow and not appreciative of the wider Welsh landscape.
In response, the council has agreed to reverse one bench in order to ‘give people the choice’.
Even Harley and Henry are enjoying a #selfiebench pitstop in #porthcawl pic.twitter.com/mDly0aOPDe
— Jessica Canton (@Jessicanton) April 14, 2016
Now that #selfiebench has made national news, who's taking a fun selfie there this weekend? 😉 #Porthcawl pic.twitter.com/W4N6xqpRuB
— Bridgend CB Council (@BridgendCBC) April 15, 2016
@FrodManor Jacob reading on the infamous #selfiebench at Porthcawl pic.twitter.com/sVKSWgFWhU
— nic burden (@burden_nic) April 15, 2016
#SelfieBench .@BBCNewsnight I think they are doing it wrong! pic.twitter.com/gkpvVeFQKz
— Resilient Communities (@BridgendReach) April 14, 2016
